Ancobon

Ancobon - General Information

A fluorinated cytosine analog that is used as an antifungal agent.

Pharmacology of Ancobon

Ancobon is an antimetabolite that acts as an antifungal agent with in vitro and in vivo activity against Candida and Cryptococcus. Ancobon enters the fungal cell via cytosine permease; thus, flucytosine is metabolized to 5-fluorouracil within fungal organisms. The 5-fluorouracil is extensively incorporated into fungal RNA and inhibits synthesis of both DNA and RNA. The result is unbalanced growth and death of the fungal organism. Antifungal synergism between Ancobon and polyene antibiotics, particularly amphotericin B, has been reported.

Ancobon for patients

Bone marrow toxicity can cause anemia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia and, rarely, agranulocytosis and eosinophilia. Other side effects can be nausea, vomiting, anorexia, bloating, diarrhea, and, rarely, bowel perforation. Reversible elevations in liver enzymes have been reported. Occasionally, rashes may be a side effect. Some side effects that have only been seen very rarely are confusion, hallucinations, headaches, sedation, vertigo and liver enlargement.There has also been a case of severe allergic-type reaction to the drug in at least one person with AIDS. This type of reaction is called anaphylaxis.

Ancobon Interactions

Cytosine arabinoside, a cytostatic agent, has been reported to inactivate the antifungal activity of flucytosine by competitive inhibition. Drugs which impair glomerular filtration may prolong the biological half-life of flucytosine.
Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions: Measurement of serum creatinine levels should be determined by the Jaffe reaction, since Ancobon does not interfere with the determination of creatinine values by this method. Most automated equipment for measurement of creatinine makes use of the Jaffe reaction.

Ancobon Contraindications

5-Flucytosine should not be used in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the drug.

Additional information about Ancobon

Ancobon Indication: For the treatment (in combination with amphotericin B) of serious infections caused by susceptible strains of Candida (septicemia, endocarditis and urinary system infections) and/or Cryptococcus (meningitis and pulmonary infections).Mechanism Of Action: Although the exact mode of action is unknown, it has been proposed that flucytosine acts directly on fungal organisms by competitive inhibition of purine and pyrimidine uptake and indirectly by intracellular metabolism to 5-fluorouracil. Ancobon enters the fungal cell via cytosine permease; thus, flucytosine is metabolized to 5-fluorouracil within fungal organisms. The 5-fluorouracil is extensively incorporated into fungal RNA and inhibits synthesis of both DNA and RNA. The result is unbalanced growth and death of the fungal organism. It also appears to be an inhibitor of fungal thymidylate synthase.Drug Interactions: Not AvailableFood Interactions: Not AvailableGeneric Name: FlucytosineSynonyms: 5-FC; 5-Fluorocystosine; 5-Fluorocytosin; 5-Fluorocytosine; 5-Flurocytosine; Flucytosin; Fluocytosine; FluorcytosineDrug Category: Antimetabolites; AntifungalsDrug Type: Small Molecule; ApprovedOther Brand Names containing Flucytosine: Ancobon; Ancotil;Absorption: Rapidly and virtually completely absorbed following oral administration. Bioavailability 78% to 89%.Toxicity (Overdose): Oral, rat: LD50 = >15 gm/kg.Protein Binding: 28-31%Biotransformation: Flucytosine is deaminated, possibly by gut bacteria or by the fungal targets, to 5-fluorouracil, the active metabolite.Half Life: 2.4 to 4.8 hours.Dosage Forms of Ancobon: Capsule Oral
Solution IntravenousChemical IUPAC Name: 4-amino-5-fluoro-3H-pyrimidin-2-oneChemical Formula: C4H4FN3OFlucytosine on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FlucytosineOrganisms Affected: Yeast and other fungi